Continuing Professional Development as an Independent Social Worker: what does it look like in practice?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is an essential part of social work practice and professional registration. Social Work England describes CPD as being unique to each practitioner and encourages social workers to engage in activities that benefit their practice, reflect on their learning, and demonstrate its impact. The challenge is often not finding opportunities to learn, but recognising them and recording them effectively. In this short interview with CoramBAAF Associate Trainer Cathy we discuss her approach to completing CPD, how it challenged some of the assumptions she held about the process, and reflections on her experience.
Have you already completed your CPD for the year?
During a discussion about recording CPD the other day, I was able to say that I had already recorded the required two pieces of evidence for this year. This is very unusual for me. I would not normally be able to make this claim until very late November.
Earlier this year, knowing that I was leaving a management role at an Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) to become an Independent Social Worker motivated me to be more proactive. Perhaps I was anticipating that it would be more difficult to keep up to date with recording CPD in this new independent role.
Is it harder to find CPD opportunities as an Independent Social Worker?
In reality, this isn't the case at all.
I'm finding there are a wealth of opportunities to evidence CPD within the independent sector. For Associate Trainers at CoramBAAF there are consultation events, network gatherings, trainer forums and briefing sessions, all excellent sources for learning, engagement and reflection.
You might also use the preparation involved in delivering a training course. This could include reading the accompanying good practice guide or taking a deeper dive into a theory or piece of research referred to in the trainer notes.
As an Independent Social Worker, you may of course have more than one role to call upon for examples of learning. Independently of any specific role, you might read books, journals and articles, listen to podcasts or documentaries, engage in discussions on social media, or attend webinars.
What can count as CPD?
One of the most positive aspects of CPD is that learning opportunities can be found in many different places.
Formal training courses certainly count, but so do the more informal activities that help us develop our knowledge, skills and professional judgement. Preparing to deliver training, exploring research, participating in professional networks, attending webinars, reading professional literature and engaging in reflective discussions can all contribute to meaningful professional development.
The key is recognising the learning that is taking place and reflecting on how it influences your practice.
What about peer reflection when you work independently?
A potential challenge as an Independent Social Worker is when it comes to peer reflection. Without a team and an office to hand, this is likely to require a little more planning, commitment and creativity.
At a recent network gathering, we discussed a few ideas:
- When delivering a training course, you could suggest that participants stay on afterwards to reflect with you on the learning from the course and how this might shape future practice. This can add a peer reflection element for their CPD record and also for your own.
- Make arrangements to buddy up with another Associate Trainer and reflect on some learning together. With trainers having different backgrounds and experience, this is likely to provide a rich and diverse source of discussion, especially if you are able to engage with a new buddy every year.
- Attend a CoramBAAF training course in an area different from your own expertise and then take some time to reflect with the other participants and/or the trainer. This could even become a reciprocal arrangement.
How can you make CPD easier and more enjoyable?
As Social Work England suggests, CPD is unique to you and can be any "activity you feel would benefit your practice".
Thinking creatively and actively planning and facilitating ways to engage with peers is likely to make the process easier and more enjoyable. And, as with any activity, if it involves someone else, you are more likely to commit to it.
Even before November!